Electrocardiogram Abnormalities

Definition

The close association between the brain and the heart makes the heart vulnerable during any neurologic insult. This may be reflected in the electrocardiogram (ECG) and could vary between sinus tachycardia to asystole (flat ECG). The abnormalities could be a change in the rhythm or the morphology of the ECG.

Variants

Morphologic ECG changes noted in neurologically compromised patients may be isolated P, Q, U, and T wave changes, QRS complex changes, and the ST-T segment changes.

However, rhythm changes observed in the ECG may range from all possible benign dysrhythmias, such as sinus bradycardia or tachycardia, to potentially fatal dysrhythmias, such as ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and asystole.